People are not stupid. All through the past week, shocked to the core by the brutal killing of intrepid journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the people of Malta have been looking on and observing what was being done and what was being said.

They saw, to their amazement, that people who Daphne had so many times attacked, made fun of, called names, etc were foremost in expressing their shock and regret over the murder.

The sanctimonious and hypocritical beating of chests is no evidence that these people have changed or that the events of last Monday have converted them. Many saw in the death an opportunity to spring back into the public limelight and they did so with alacrity.

But people remember what she wrote about them and, worse, people remember what they said about her.

And those who knew her well, know also what she used to say about them.

All the above must be treated with circumspection. There may be people, there are people, who have in their heart of hearts repented over what they said or did.

But we who knew her well, can well imagine her anger at so much fake sorrow, at positioning, at so much fake hype. She could cut through cant with red hot anger. She is probably telling one and all to cut the hypocrisy and to be truthful in everything they say or do. Even, and more so, if the subject of their speeches is she herself.

The fact is we all left her alone to face the threats, we let her be out in front and now all we can say pales in front of what took place.

Daphne’s death provoked a massive reaction by the people, which was reflected in yesterday’s massive turnout. But inside the folds of the protest lurked the opportunists who saw in the reaction their opportunity to shine and to wash and bleach their past which Daphne many times criticised.

There have been many mysteries over the past months, both before and after the election. Stories of treason, of double-dealing, stories of personal ambition riding roughshod over the real needs of the country. This took place on both sides of the political fence but mainly within the Opposition. Daphne was completely outside these petty games. She had her crusade and she kept at it even if it proved to be highly dangerous and she was all alone.

So now, misters commentators, wise guys, know-it-alls, back off. Don’t let us remind you what she used to say about you. You have no right to take precedence and ride roughshod over the foot soldiers who did, do, their duty diligently and quietly.