| Whittaker, who almost became a Catholic priest as a young man, could soon be Britain's second biggest port operator. The Isle of Man-based property magnate bought Clydeport for £184m in 2002, and in February bid £780m for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. The owner of Manchester's Trafford Centre shopping complex, Whittaker, 63, took his Peel Holdings company private last year. His personal stake is worth £842m and other assets, including homes in the Isle of Man and Spain and £6m of dividends a year, easily take him to £900m. |