A man who allegedly draped himself in the red flag of the Tamil Tigers at a doctor's surgery has been remanded in custody.

Ravi Mendis, 43, had a nine-inch knife and told officers he was there to kill the female doctor, magistrates heard.

Mendis, of no fixed address, entered no pleas when he appeared for a short hearing charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts at Westminster Magistrates' Court today (July 23).

The court heard he was accused of "with intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect of your intention" contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006 at the Crown Medical Centre in Bromley last Friday.

Giving details of the offence, prosecutor Mark Carroll said: "Namely, finding the location of the intended victim, travelling to Bromley in Kent and being in possession of a knife with a view of committing attacks against persons in the UK contrary to that section of the Terrorism Act."

The court heard Mendis, who was not represented, was arrested after a nine-inch knife and a red flag of the Liberation of the Tamil Tigers was found in the practice along with evidence of previous death threats to Dr Savi Wijayatilake.

British-born Mendis made no application for bail and was remanded to appear at the Central Criminal Court on August 3.