I have to say that reading some of the emails about the reconstruction to The Tapas 7, that Rebelo feller would have scared me half to death. No way would I have gone anywhere near Portugal at that time.
And did anyone else read the lies in The Press about them demanding five star accommodation for free?
Pure speculation on my part but.........
IMO the PJ knew the group wouldn't agree to attend a recon. In fact IMO they were banking on it - and so to make sure they wouldn't agree - they let them know that they could not guarantee that the press would not be there, they referred to the McCanns as 'the offenders' and told them not to bring their children with them. That last bit alone would make me suspicious enough to say 'No way'.
They also said that if only one of them refused to go - it wouldn't take place at all. So once Jez said he wasn't going - that was the end of it anyway.
Having been viciously smeared in the media themselves and then having to watch their friends who they knew to be innocent made Arguidos - the group's trust in the PJ's motives would be less than ZERO. And who could blame them?
I think the PJ breathed a huge sigh of relief when they refused, and then proceeded to use that refusal as part of the reason why they had to shelve the case.
IMO it was a face-saving exercise. (and it worked too)